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ARU boss says no to sabbaticals

Darren Walton

ARU chief Bill Pulver has all but ruled out introducing player sabbaticals, but is hopeful such inflexibility won't lead to a mass exodus of stars after next year's Rugby World Cup.

Israel Folau this week joined the chorus of calls from Test greats including ex-captains John Eales, George Gregan and Stirling Mortlock for players to be allowed to accept lucrative short-term deals to play overseas without losing their eligibility to represent the Wallabies.

ARU rules currently stipulate that players must complete a full season of domestic rugby in Australia to be eligible for the Wallabies.

"There is a lot of discussion around this but I have to be clear: I have zero appetite to change it," Pulver said on Thursday.

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Believing he has the support of Australian fans, a bullish Pulver said no player was bigger than the game and not even the prospect of losing Folau, the jewel in the Wallabies' crown, would alter his hardline stance.

"It's not a concern," he said.

"Look, at the end of the day, we only want people to play rugby in Australia who want to play rugby in Australia.

"We're not about trying to talk anyone into staying if they don't want to stay.

"So every individual player will have to form their own view.

"When it comes to that policy, I really do not see it changing and I think the logic's pretty compelling.

"Why would you choose Wallabies from overseas markets, which would most likely then allow a serious exit of playing talent from this country and dilute the calibre of our competition?

"That's not what we want to do with the game in Australia."

Folau is contracted until the end of 2015 and says he's happy in rugby, but the dual international on Monday admitted he would explore "all options" after the World Cup.

Pulver said he was optimistic the superstar fullback would follow the lead of Wallabies teammates Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano, among others, to commit to Australian rugby long-term.

Pulver was hopeful the 24-year-old would place prestige and the chance to become Australia's greatest-ever player above money.

"He's a phenomenal talent. He could well be on a path to being the best rugby player in the world. He could be on a path to being the most significant rugby player in Australian history," he said.

"He's an incredible talent. Fans gravitate towards the guy and he lights up whatever field he runs on to.